Lamp supporting and controlling means for lighthouses and the like



April 21, 1931. goopw rq 1,802,145

LAMP SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR LIGHTHOUSES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 24. 192 8 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 21, 1931. GQODWIN I 1,802,145

LAME- SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR LIGHTHOUSES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 24. 1928 s Shets-Sheet 2 April 21, 1931.

G. GOODWIN 1,802,145

LAMP SUPPORTING AND CONTROLLING MEANS FOR LIGHTHOUSES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 24, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jwuwntoz Que awn;

be restored reasonof the failure of a light.

The advantage-ofbeing ableito automatr Patented Apr. 21, 1931 unir E STATES PAT ENT OFFICE; 1

GEORGE GOOIDWIN, 0F BRENTFORD, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN GrASACCUMU- LA'DSBVCOHIPAZNTY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW

JERSEY, A-v CORPORATION OF; new JERSEY LAMP snrrontrineann GQNTROLLING.MEANSFOR menrnonsns'nnn'rnn L nn Application filed September 24, 15-28, Seriat'No.

lhis invention relates to lights for illuminating, lighthouses and for other like purposes wherein'it is necessary that a light-shall bemaintained continuously, and it comprehends mechanism whereby the lighting may if it should become extinct by cally restore illumination in light houses and the like after the failure of a light. therein is recognized but up to the present timethere has been: no general'adoption of means for tively effecting thatpurpose. One of the reasons i n for such failure has been the amount or supervision called for by the structures heretofore known for restoringillumination in case of the failure of a light.

it isan object of the present invention to provide apparatus or mechanisms of relasimple construction which can be relied upon to remain'in eifective working order and to operate efficiently for lengthy periods of time and which ordin'arilywillj require attention only when there is no longer available an effective lamp for the replacement of lamp whichghas failed;

in some cases Villuminants of-two different kinds may be made use of, one being a standby and adapted to be substituted for the other, although the-latter also'may be an independent source of the same kind of illumin ant. 'Again, it may be desired to retract a lightsource bodily from the lens system (when the device or structure is employed in connection with such a system) when the exchange with another-is being effected, whilst in other instances this precaution and operation may not be necessary. Apparatus embodying the invention has been devised so that it can be applied and employed tomeet the variousrequirements which are met with I in practice.

Broadly the invention includes the provision of light supporting-or actuatingmeans capable only of unidirectional rotation; the

provision of mechanical means for rotating such light supporting means andof a motor and gearmgadapted to restore the mechanical. driving means to, its normal state after 7 each complete rotation ofthe said light sup- 307317, and. in Great Britain October 11; 1927.

porting-means; andthe provision of means for automatically locking the saidlight supporting means at predetermined positions against rotation by an extraneously applied force; that is, against rotation except by the means provided for that purpose and which is efiectivein the operation of the structure.

It also is anobject of the invention to provide means whereby'up'on the failure of the lights ordinarily employed the light supporting means will move into position to render th'e sta-ndby lighting means effective, and also to provideineans which may be eturned automaticallyinto position to render one of the mainlighting means effective.

I shall not undertake hereto indicate all {the many objectsand advantages of the invention, but further and additional objects and advantages thereof wilh be pointed out in the detailed description; thereof which electric wiring for supplying electric current to the mainlights or lamps of the structure;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a fragmentary portion of a modified construction of means embodying the invention;

Fig.- 4 is a view-in sectional elevation of a portion of a structure showing a. modified means for positioning the lamps with respect to a lens structure; and

. Fig. 5 is a View in secti ing a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4=andtakenin a plane at right angles to that in which Fig. 4 is taken.

In the construction as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 .two electric lamps or light-s1 and 2 ona-l elevation showand a standby gas burner or light with mantle 3 are assumed to be carried on or supported by a revolving arm system 4 which hereinafter will be referred to as the light supporting means or, broadly considered, light actuating means. The axis of revolution of the said light supporting means is vertical and is noncoincident with the focus of the associated lens or lens structure (not shown), whether the latter be circumferentially complete or not, so that the various lamps or lights can be brought successively into the focus of the lens structure.

The light supporting means is provided at its center with an elongated hub or central portion 5 which is loosely mounted upon the upper end portion of the shaft 6 from which shaft projects an arm or bracket 7 rigidly connected therewith, which bracket carries and supports a vertically arranged spindle 8 provided at its lower end with a pinion 9 which engages a stationary toothed ring or gear 10 which is concentric with the shaft 6 and at its upper end with a crank having an upwardly extending projection 8 which extends into the slot of a forked or slotted arm 11 which is rigidly connected with and projects laterally and radially from the hub 5 previously referred to. The arrangement and operation are such that when a lamp is located in operative position (as for example at the focus of a lens or lens system or structure the crank is directed radially inwards, due to the appropriate selection of gear ratios with the axis of the projection 8 extending transversely of and in vertical alinemcnt with the pitch circle of the pinion 9. Under these conditions external pressure applied to the lamp supporting means when a lamp is in operative position as above stated will produce no movement thereof, the engage ment of the crank pin with the slotted arm 11 forming a lock to prevent such movement. It will be apparent, however, that upon rotation of the shaft 6, which rotation adapted to be effected by the mechanism, and under the conditions as hereinafter stated, the arm 7 will be rotated or revolved and such rotation or revolution by reason of the engagement of the projection 8 with the slotted arm 11 will cause rotation or revolution of the light supporting means consisting of the arms 4 or any other suitable means or devices.

The shaft 6, in the construction as illustrated, is adapted to be rotated by means of a weight 12 suspended upon a flexible connection 13 which is attached to and extends around a floating grooved ring 14- upon which planet pinions 15 are supported, which pinions mesh with the teeth 0;:' a sun wheel 16 rigidly mounted upon the said shaft 6. The said pinions also mesh with the internal teeth of a floating worm wheel 17, the external teeth of which are in engagement with a worm 18 upon the shaft 19 of an electric motor 20. Normally the worm wheel 1? is held stationary by the worm 1S and the driving shaft 6 also is hold stationary by stopping or holding means as will be here nafter explained. Upon the release of the saizi stopping or holding means the shaft 6 will be caused to rotate by the action of the weight 12 exerted through the flexible connection 13, grooved ring 14 and planet wheels 15 to the sun wheel 16 on the said shaft. It will be understood that when the said stopping means is operating to hold the shaft 6 the ring 14 is held against rotation due to the interlockin g of the planet gears 15 with the sun wheel, the gear 16 and the floating worm gear 17, but upon release of the said stopping means rotation of the ring 14: is effected under the influence of the weight 12. The planet gears 15 are thus carried around the sun wheel .16 and being in engagei'nent with the internal teeth of the stationary worm gear 17 the said planet gears are caused to rotate and to effect rotation of the gear 16 and of the shaft 6 in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow on said wheel. If the motor 20 should be started while the shaft 6 is held stationarv by the stopping and holding means therefor the worm wheel 17 will be driven by the worm 18 and the planet gears 15 will be reused to travel idly around the sun wheel 16 and will cause rotation of the grooved ring 14 in a direction (anti-clock vise) to rewind the flexible connection 13 attached to the weight 12 and effect elevation of the latter.

The control of the movements and operation as thus far described may be efiected in various ways. The means provided for that purpose and which will now be described comprises a toothed wheel 21 mounted upon and rigidly connected with the shaft 6. The speed of rotation or movement of the lamp supporting means may be controlled by the employment of a. suitable governor such as an eddy current brake which comprises a metal disc 22 and an associated magnet 23 (which may be a permanent magnet), the spindle 21 of the said disc being geared to the toothed wheel 21 as by means of the ear train designated as a whole by the referznce number 25. A projection 26 upon the brake disc 22 forms a part of the stop mechanism by means of which the rotation of the shaft 6 is controlled. For co-ogieration with the projection 26 I have provided a stop device comprising a trigger having twin projections 27 and 28 spaced from each other as illustrated. The operation of the said stop device is controlled by the co-operation or inutual a tion of an electi'o-magnctically responsive device and cam means or devices movable with the shaft 6. The arrangement and operation. are such that unless the electro-ma netic device is energized the cam mechanisiii cannot act to arrest or stop the shaft and the light supporting meansactuated thereby. in any position 7 by lamp or light source is in use,

except that at which the standnor can the light supporting means remain stationary with the standby lamp in use if thereafter the tion, which may be the focus of a lens structure or system. Immediately upon restoration of thecurrentthrough the electro-magnet to ener ize the same the means for actuating the light supporting means is returned'to initial position after which it operates torotate the light supporting means to bring a main light into operative position instead of the standby light.

In'the construction. as illustrated the stop device comprising-the twin stop projections 27 and 28 is pivotally.supported upon a pivot 29 uponone end of a lever 30 pivotally conposition of. the armature magnetwlnch in turn isdependent-upon the condition of the ncctedat its opposite end to a stationarysupport The lever 30 is provided intermediate of its length with a roller 31: which is adaptedto contact with and to be elevatedby camprojections 32 and 33' 'wh1chare provided on the control wheel 21: previously referred to and tO-WlllCllxilllB governingmeans' iscared as hereinbefore ClGSCIlbQCL. The roller 31 is also adapted to belowered into and toengage a depression gels-provided inithe upper side of the wheel 21as illustrated: firstcase the stop projectionEZS is elevatedin a. direction toward the disc-22iand toward theplaneot movementofxthe projection 26 thereon, and in'the other a; second case the opposite stopprojection 2'? is lowered in a direction toward the-planeof'travel of the said projectionQS. vVhc-tl er or notin these respective cases and positions the appropriate stop projection 28 or 27 actually moves into the path or movement of the projection 26 dependsupon whetherthe tail piece32 of the pivoted stop device which is connectedin the manner shown to the armaturez33 of an electro magnet 34 is depressed due to the ener zin ofthe said'electro-magnetor not dew '7 pressed due to the said electro magnet being (is-energized. The positions oiithe stop projections 27 and 28 dependnot only upon'the position of the lever- 0 as controlled'by the roller 31 but also uponthel position oi the pivoted stop :device which is. controlled by the 33st the electroenergized or tie-energized said magnet. c 7

The manner in" which the construct on operates or iui'ictionswillbe understood after I ing means and v referred toherein and employed for co-oper- In the the minus sign.

. which comprises contacts 35 in the circuit of the motor 20 as shown; The switch also comprises contacts 36 which are employed toshort circuit the energizing winding i'? of the electrormagnetfid associated with the stop necianisni'for controlling the light support to which reference has been madealr-eady. The gas for the standby lamp mantle 8 may be supplied through the shaft6 ,whichinz y-be tubular for that purpose, there being a pilot light and valve means of any suitable or known kind or character operated p hump or a depression on the wheel 21 the said. hum or depression b8111 lllltlClClla l, c: on to the humps and tne depression already ating in the arresting and holding of the light supporting means in desired position. Goininunication between the gas 'supplyand the tubular shaft may he establishedthrough a suitable mercury sealor revolving joint.

Inthe construction as illustrated a hump or projection for the last named. purpose is shownindotted lines at 38 upon the'under side of the wheel 21, which humpor projection is adapted to contact and co-operate with a roller 39 mounted upon one end of a lever 40 pivotally supported intermediate its endsi upon a support' lland having connection at its outer end withthe upper end of a-link42 the lower end of which has connection with a gas control valve, not shown. The mode of supplying gas to the lamp; forms no part of the present invention-andanay he eiiected and controlled-by various means other than that suggested. V

The electric circuit empleyed is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. lot tne drawings and comprises t is supply line indicated by the plus sign and the return line indicated by 7 i'ieans' for controlling the flow of current through the circuit, such as a switch l3,located in the minus line may be provided for opening and closing the circuit through the electric lamps or lights. The saidswitch maybe located at a convenient point for operation at a distance from the said lights. 1A lead 4 L extends from a point in one of the main-lines beyond the control switch -il3 and a flasher i5'if one should be employed) which lead includes a resistance 46. The said lead ;consti.tutes an auxiliary circuit for the winding l? of the electro-Inagwhich ism-"operation, the said current being restrlcted by iZlIE- 'TGSISlZFiIlCG, 46 to an amount which does not cause any appreciable glow of the lamp filament when the switch 43 is closed. This auxiliary circuit is adapted to be opened and closed by contacts which co-operate with contacts carried upon the hub 5 of the light supporting means which hub also supports and carries other contacts through which the lamps are connected in circuit with the mains, the electro-magnet vinding 17 being in series with circuits of the said lamps.

In the construction as illustrated the return or minus line of the electric current supply lines is connected to a brush or contact 48 which is adapted to engage successively contacts -19, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54: upon a segmental ring 55 of insulating material, the said contacts thereby being insulated from each other and from the metal poi-ions of the structure, while the lead 414 from such main is connected to twin brushes or contacts which likewise are adapted to engage the set of contacts 419 to 54 above referred to, it being understood that only contacts 19 and 51 are intended to cooperate with the brush or contact 18 and that only contacts 50, 52, 53 and 5 1- co-operate with the twin brushes 56. That is, in the operation of the device the light 1 or 2 active only when the contact or brush 18 is in contact or engagement with the contact or brush 49 or 51, one of the contacts or brushes 56 at such time being in contact either with the contact or brush 50 or 52. The engagement or contactof the brush or contact 4.8 with the contacts 50, 52, 53 or 54. does not in any way affect the operation of the device. The plus or positive line of the supply main on the other hand is connected to a brush or contact 57 w iich is adapted to engage or contact with the contacts 58, 59 and 60 mounted upon a segmental ring 61 by which the said contacts are insulated from each other and from metal portions of the structure. These contacts 58, 59 and 60 are connected to the lamps 1 and 2 as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In the construction as illustrated there may he said to be three conditions but these conditions may be increased by the inclusion or provision of an additional number of main lights similar to the lights 1 and 2.

These conditions may be described as follows:

Condition 1: The electro-magnet 34 when energized causes upward movement of the lower stop projection 28 to a position adjacent the governor disc 22 but not into the plane of movement of the projection 26 upon the said disc. If it should now happen that the roller 31 of the pivoted lever support 30 should be raised or elevated by contact with either of the cam projections or humps 32 or 33 on the wheel which is mounted upon the shaft 6 such lever 30 is elevated so as to move the lower projection 28 into position to he engaged by the projection 26. Upon C011- tact of the projection 26 with the projection 28 movement of the wheel 21 together with that of the parts actuated thereby is stopped and held in such position with a light 1 or 2 in the required operative position until a change in the conditions takes place. The change in condition which is contemplated might be the failure of the current in the main supply lines or it might be the breaking of the filament of the lamp corresponding to that particular position of the light supporting means or it might be due to some other cause. Opon such change in condition rotary movement of the wheel 21 is resumed and continued until in operative condition is restored which may be the placing of the next or second main light in operative position or it may be that the wheel 21 will continue to rotate until the standby lamp 3 is brought into operative position; that is, a position coincident with the focus of the lens or lens system in a construction of the character of that which has been assumed.

Condition 2: When the electro-magnet 34 is tie-energized by failure of current to flow through the coil 47 thereof the upper stop projection 27 is moved downwardly toward the governor disc 22 into position adjacent thereto but not into the plane of movement of the projection 26 thereon. If when the electro-magnet is thus de-energized the roller 31 mounted upon the control lever 30 enters the depression 34 in the toothed wheel 21 the said stop projection 27 is thereby moved into position to be engaged by the projection 26 upon the disc 22. Movement of the wheel 21 into position to cause the roller 31 to engage the notch 34 causes movement of the standby lamp or light 3 into operative position. The arrangement and the construction are such that gas would then be supplied to the standby burner. It will be understood, as has been indicated already, that instead of a gas light an electric light may be employed as the standby light, in which event the current should be drawn from some source independent of that of the main supply current for the main lights 1 and 2.

Condition 3: It is only when the standby lamp 3 is in operative position that the flexible cord 13 is rewound upon the drum 1 1 and the weight 12 thereby elevated. Such rewinding and elevation of the weight is accomplished as follows, to wit: when the parts for actuating the lights and moving them from inoperative to operative positions have reached a point such that the standby light occupies the operative position in the structure they are stopped in that position and at such time the grooved ring 14 will have rotated to a position to cause a pin 62 thereon to contact or engage a snap-over switch arm 63 of known construction and through the contacts 35 close the circuit of the electric motor 20. At the same time the winding 47 of the electro-magnet 34 is short circuited by ace -ma the engagement ofthe contacts 36 so" that: although current'may then flow throughthe lamp filaments the upper projection 27 will remain 'inengagement with the projection 26 J because of the fact that at such timethe the snap-over switch 63to open the contacts 35 and 36 whereupon operation ofthe motor 20 is discontinued "and the electro-magnet re-energized which'results in a movement of the pivoted stop device .to carry the projection 27 out of the .zplaneof mov'ementoi.

the stop 26 so that the wheel 21 may resume its rota tion to effect rotation of theili'ght-s'up.

porting meansin the'manne'r as heretofore described.

In service or use-the operation may be described briefly astakin-g place as follows:

,Assuming that the device is functioning and that the electric light or lamp 1,'which may be referred to as the first of theilamps, is in operative: position, as,=for "example, at

the focus of a lens structure, it'rem'ains m such position until something happens to. render" the said light or -lamp inefiec'tive such as-the breaking of the filament or the failure of current in themain supply lines. -Assum= -ing,'however thatthe lamp 1 isin position current flows fromthe plus and operating,- line of the main supply linesthrough the electro-magnet winding '47, brush or contact 57, contact 58, the filament ofthesaidlamp 1, contact 49, brush or contact 48 and thence through theswitch 43 to the minus or return line. I'fthe 'contr('il switch 43' should be-open or it while the said switch is ;closed'*the contact or the flasher 45"is open (when a flasher is used) a 'sustaining'current flows into and through the filament of the'lam-p and-thence through the contacts 50, 56,;lead line44 and the resistance 46 therein hack to'the minus line so that the electro-magnet 34 is retained in energized condition. j

If the filament of the lamp 1 should break the elec'tro-magnet'34 is (ls-energized which results in movement-of the projection-28 oi thepivoted stop device to release-the stop 26 whereupon the supporting means for 'the lights is revolved by the weight 12 in the manner as hereinbeicre described until the electric lamp 2, which may-beregarded as he second lan1p, has-moved intooperative position. When this occurs the contact 59 ring or 'drum 14 to is brought into contact with the brush or con tact 57, the contact 51 into contact with the brush or contact 48, and one "of the contacts '56 into contact with the contact 52. Itwill be seen that when the contacts are thus established the filament of the lamp-2 is placed inthe circuit in 'series'avfiththe coil 47 ofthev electro-magnet.

Assuming that only two main lamps are employed, such 1 and 2 illustrated, and that thelilamentsin both of i them are disrupted or-brolren then the wheel 21 will rotate untilthe standby lamp has been brought into opera ive positionwhich occurs *at'the moment of theengagement of the roller 31"" with the notch The light or 'lampsu'pporting meanswill'remain in such position until new lamps have been substituted" for those having broken filaments whereupon the conditions will have been established for permitting and causing the light supporting means to thenresume its movement so as to bring the first lamp 1 into operativepositi'on.

If it should happen that the supply of current from "or throughthe maimSu-pply lines is discontinued the electro-magnet will "be (le -energized so lthat the lampsupp'orting means mayand will revolve until the-standby light '3, which in the constructions shown is illustratedas'a gas lamp but may consist of an electric light or lamp ashas been inclicated already, is in operative position. Whenthe said standby lamp is inoperative position the brush 57 will engage the contact. 60'while the twin brushes 56 'wi-ll'engage the contacts 53a'nd 54 thereby completing the. circuit through the-lamps 'and'throu'g'h the lead 44 and resistance '46 therein so=that a light sustaining cur-rent only would flow through thelainp filaments upon restoration or resumption ofthe current how. "Upon restoration ofthe current after failure thereof as just described; operation-of the elec--' tric motor 20 ise'ffected'to rewind "the-fiexible cord 13 upon the grooved ring ordr'u m 14 to elevate the weight 12 whereupon if either one or both ofthe lamps landQ be in good condition the electro-magnet .34is ener ized and the lamp supporting means 4 released and caused to rotateuntil it stops at the first ofthesaid e'l'ectric lampswhich is in proper condition.

standby position of the light supporting means is made deeper so that when the roller 31 oithe lever 30 drops thereinto it will cause movement of the stop projection 27 into a position in the plane of movement of the stop .26 independently of whether the electromagnet 34 is (lo-energized. In such modified construction the grooved wheel 1% is provided with a cam projection (35 which is adapted to contact with a roller 70 upon the inner end of a lever (58 pivoted intermediate its ends upon a stationary support 39. A link 67 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the opposite end of the said lever 68 and at its lower end to the outer end of a lever 66 pivoted intermediate its ends to a stationary support 67. The support 30 in this construction is mounted upon the opposite or inner end of the lever 66 as shown. Vhen the roller 70 upon the inner end of the lever 68 is engaged by the cam projection 65 the roller 31 is slightly elevated so as to position it at the point occupied by it while in the notch34 of the construction shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen that when the roller is thus elevated the electro-magnet will then re lease or hold the wheel 21 depending upon whether it is or is not energized.

In the constructions heretofore described it will be noted that the light supporting means revolves so that the said lights may be brought successively into operative 1)OSlLIDn; that is, into positions coincident with the focus of the lens or lens structure, not shown, it being assumed for purposes of description that the device is used in connecflon with the lens system ot' a light house or the like. It will be understood, however, that the device may be employed for any other purpose for i which it may be found to be suitable.

In cases where the device is used in connection with a lens system or structure and where the accommodation within the. said lens system or structure for a. number oi? lights or lamps is restricted the lr-unps may he supported upon means by which they may he raised and lowered into and from operative positions, or vice versa, one after another. Each of the lights for example may he carried or supported by a parallel motion link system 71 as shown in Fig. 4; of the drawin Such a modified arrangement may be operatod by means of a rotating supporting or actuating device or means 5, the supporting 5i. alrface of which is in the form of a cam. Rollers 72 provided upon one of the links oi each couple of parallel links of the link sy tem rest upon the said cam surface so that upon rotation of the said cam supporting derice the said links are actuated to move the lights into and from operative position with respect to the lensstructure or system indicated in dotted lines in said Fig. 4. It will be apparent that either the cam deviceor (13 member 4 may be rotated or that said cam device may be held stationary and the shat t 6 to which the link system is connected rotated. In either case the lamps carried by the respective couples of parallel links will be moved into and from operative position with respect to the lens structure or system.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent is:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting a plurality of lamps one of which is a standby for the others, means for effecting unidirectional rotation of said lamp suporting means, a stop for interrupting the rotation of said lamp supporting means to position a lamp in a predetermined location, means for causing bodily movement of said stop, and means for causing pivotal movement thereof to render the same effective.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising rotatable means -for supporting a plurality of lamps, means for causing movement of the said supporting means to carry the respective lamps into a predetermined operative position, stop devices for interrupting the movement of the said supporting means to position a lamp in a predetermined location, and power means operating automatically to return the said last mentioned means to initial position after a predetermined one of the said lamps has been moved into the said predetermined operative position.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for rotata bly supporting a plurality of lamps, one of which is a standby for the others, means for causing rotation of the said lamp supportin means to bring the respective lamps into a predetermined operative position, stop devices for interrupting the rotation of said lamp sup 'iorting means to position a lamp in a predetermined location, and means acting automatically to return the said last mentioned means to its initial position after the said standby lamp has reached the saidpredetermined position independently of the means for rotatably sup porting said lamps. V

41, Apparatus of the character described comprising means adapted to be rotated for supporting a plurality of lamps, one of which is a standby for the others, a rotatable shaft for supporting the said lamp suporting means, said lamp supporting means being loosely and rotatahlymounted on said shaft, means for causing unidirectional rotation only of said shaft, means for locking the said shaft against rotation, and means interposed between the said shaft and the said lamp supporting means for effecting rotation of the latter and for preventing rotation of the latter while the locking means for the said shaft is in locked position.

5. Apparatus ot' the character described comprising rotatable means for supporting nsoanaa porting means is loosely mounted, rotatable means interposed 1 between the s aid shattand the said lamp supporting means whereby the rotary movements of the said shaft are transmitted to the said lamp=supporting-means, means for causing" rotation (if-the said shaft in one direction only, andlneans for returning the last'mentionedmeans to initial post tion after it-has arrived at: a predetermined position in the operaton of the said apparatus independently ot'said shaft. V

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising ineansfor "supporting a plural ity otmain and standbylamps, the former adapted to be supplied with electric current as an'illuminant and the'latteradapted 'to'be supplied with i an illuminant 'from an index )endent source a shaft u )cn'which the said n lamp supporting means is loosely mounted,

means interposed between the said shaftiand' the saidl'ampsupporting means for causing rotation-otthe latteriwhen the said shaft is rotated, the said means operating: to hold the said lamp supporting-means stationary when the respective lamps have been located in a pred'eterminedioperativeposition, a rotatable' member supported independently of said shaft, mea-ns'tor causing rotation of said member, connections between said' member,

\ and-the said shaft whereby when the said member is rotated in one direction rotation of the said shaft is effected,and ineans oper ating to returnthe saidnnember to initial position after it has arrived'at' a predetermined position in theoperat-i'on" of the said apparatus. V

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising rotatable means for supporting a plurality of electric I lampsto' which electrio current'as an illuminant is supplied from a suitable source and a standby lamp-towhich a suitable illuminant is supplied'irom an independent source, a rotatable shaft upon which the said lampsupporting means -is I mounted, means including a rotatable member forcausing rotation of thes'aid shaft and the said lamp supporting meansin one direction to transfer the said respective lamps to a predetermined operative position, and

means for returning the said rotatable member from the position. occupied by it when the said standby lamp has reached the said predetermined operative. position without atfecting the said shaft or the said la-mp supporting means. i

"8. Apparatus of i the character described comprising me'ans tOr' supporting a plurality ofjmain lamps and a"s'ta-iidby lamp; a rotatable shaft upon which the said lamp support- Ingmea'ns is loosely mounted, means foremaing rotation. of said shaft in i one direction,

means interposedbetween the; said shaft and the :said lamp supporting means and having operative connection with'both for causing rotation of the said lamp "supporting means when said-shaft .is'-rotated, the said interposed means operating to hold the said lamp supporting means against movement upon said shaftafter a lamp h'as'been placed in operative position'until'rotation of the-said shaft is resumed, a stop devicelfor holding the said "shaft :agai nst rotation, and" automatically acting meansforreleasing said-stop device upon 13116 fa-ilure of one not {the said main lamps. V r

9. .Apparatus of the character "described comprising means for rotat-ably supporting aiplurality ofmain'lampsand a standby lamp adapted to be substituted for the former in ca se ot failure thereot,'the saidmain lamps adapted to berenderedluminous by an electric currentiand the saidstandby lamp adapted to'be rendered luminous by an illuminant from asource independent of that tor the main lamps, a shaft upon which the said lamp fecting the saidshaft, means interposed between the saidsha'ft andthe said light supportingmeans and having operative connectron WltiTbOthfOl' causing rotation of said light supportingmeans "when said shaft is rotated, stopping means for holding thesaid shafta'gainst rotation'when a main light is'in operative position and is illuminated, means forjrelea-sing the said stopping means to permit rotation of said shaft'upon the failure of the mainli'ght the means for causing rotation of thesa'id shaft operating to transfer the standby lampinto operative position upon tailure'of all t-hemain lamps, means for reengaging the stopping means to hold the shaft against rotation during the pe'riod that such standby lamp 1 remains in operative position and until the cause of the failure of said main lamps has been removed, and means for thereupon releasing the said shattandpermittin rotation thereof until a main lamp in condition to be illuminated arrives at the operative' position. a

10. Apparatus of the'character described comprising means for supporting a plurality of main electric lamps and a stan'dbylamp', the -illumin'ant for whi'ch'is derived from a source independent of-that for the main lamps, a shaft-uponwhich the said lamp supporting means is mounted, arotatable 1nem her *su"pported independently otthe said 7 shaft; means for-applying force to saidnie'mher for causing rotation thereof in one direction, connections between the said member and the said shaft whereby such rotation of the said member causes rotation of said shaft .to effect rotation of the said lamp supporting means to carry the respective lamps into predetermined operative position, means operating upon the completion of rotation of the said member under the influence of said force to return the said rotatable member to initial position without affecting the said shaft, and means for holding the said shaft against rotation when any one of the said lamps is in predetermined operative position and means operating automatically to cause said last named means to release said shaft upon the failure of the said main lamps to permit the said standby lamp to be carried into operative position.

11. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting a plurality of main electric lamps and a standby lamp, the illuminant for which is derived from a source independent of that for the main lamps, a shaft upon which the said lamp supporting means is mounted, a rotatable member supported independently of the said shaft, means for applying force to said memher for causing rotation thereof in one direction, connections between the said member and the said shaft whereby such rotation of the said member causes rotation of said shaft to effect rotation of the said lamp supporting means to carry the respective lamps into preletermined operative position, means operating upon the completion of rotation of the said member under the influence of said force to return the said rotatable member to initial position without affecting the said shaft, means for holding the said shaft against rotation when any one of the said lamps is in predetermined operative position and n'ieans operating automatically to release said holding means upon the failure of the said main lamps to permit rotation of said shaft to cary a standby lamp into operative position.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for rotatably suppm'ting a plurality of main lamps and a standby lamp, a circuit including the said main lamps whereby electric current may be supplied thereto. means for supplyng an illuminant to the standby lamp from an independent source of supply, an electro-magnet in the :aid circuit in series with the said lamps, a shaft upon which the said lamp supporting means is mounted, a rotatable member sup ported independently of the said shaft, a weight suspended from said rotatable member and adapted to cause rotation thereof in one direction, connections between the said rotatable member and. the said shaft whereby when caused to rotate by said weight rotation of the said shaft is effected to cause movement of a lamp into a predetermined operative position, means interposed between the said shaft and the said lamp supporting means for holding the latter against movement relatively to the said shaft when a lamp occupies said operative position, a stop device for holding the said shaft against rotation when a lamp is in said operative position, means interposed between the said electro-magnet and the said stop device and operating to release the latter to permit rotation of the said shaft upon the failure of a main lamp, and means operating upon the completion of rotation of the said member under the influence of the said Weight to return the said member to initial position.

18. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting main and standby lamps, the latter adapted to be supplied with an illuminant from an independent source of supply, a circuit for supplying electric current to the said main lamps, a shaft upon which the said lamp supporting means is loosely supported, means for causing rotation of said shaft in one direction only, means interposed between said shaft and lamp supporting means to cause movement of the said lamps respectively into a predetermined operative position, said last named means including a crank-shaft, means having rigid connection with the said first named shaft for supporting said crank-shaft and causing the latter to revolve with the said first named shaft, means for causing independent rotation of said crank-shaft, an arm having rigid connection with the said lamp supporting means and movable connection with the crank-arm of said crank-shaft, means for returning the second named. means into initial position. without affecting the said first named shaft or the lamps carried thereby, a brake device for retarding the rotary movement of the said first named shaft, and means for locking said first named shaft in stationary position when an active lamp is located in the said predetermined operative position.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting main and standby lamps, the latter being supplied with an illuminant from an independent source, a circuit including the said main lamps for supplying electric current thereto, a unidirectionally rotatable shaft upon which the said lamp supporting means is loosely mounted, a connection between said shaft and said lamp supporting means whereby upon rotation of the former rotation of the latter is effected, the said connection operating to hold the said lamp supporting means against movement upon said shaft when a lamp occupies a predetermined position, means rotatable alternately in opposite directions, connections between the said rotatable means and the said shaft whereby the latter is adapted to be rotated in one direction only, means operable upon the completion of a rotation of said rotatable means to return it to initial position without afiecting the said shaft, stop devices for controlling the rotary movements of said shaft, and means controlled and actuated by a flow of current through the said circuit for controlling the said stop devices.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising means for supporting main and standby lamps, a circuit for supplying electric current to the said main lamps, an independent source of illuminant for said standby lamp, the said circuit including an electromagnet in series with the said main lamps, a shaft upon which the said lamp supporting means is mounted, means for causing rotation of said shaft to place the said lamps respectively in a predetermined operative position, cam devices carried by the said shaft, stop devices including a pivotal stop and a rotatable stop, means whereby rotation of said shaft causes rotation of the said rotatable stop, connections otal stop and the movable armature of the said electro-magnet, the said cam devices and the movements of the said armature co-acting to cause movements of the said pivotal stop into the path of movement of the said rotatable stop whereby the latter may contact with the former under predetermined conditions to hold the said shaft against rotation while the said conditions are maintained.

16, Apparatus of the character described comprising a shaft, supporting and actuating means for a plurality of lamps mounted upon said shaft, the said lamps including main 7 lamps and a standb, lamp, rotatable means mounted independently of said shaft, means operatively connected with the said rotatable means for causing rotation thereof in one direction, means interposed between said rotatable means and thesaid shaft whereby said rotation of said rotatable means causes rotation of the said shaft and lamp actuating means in one direction to move the saidlamps respectively to a predetermined operative position, means for holding the said shaft against'rotation while a lamp occupies said predetermined position, a normally inactive electric motor,means for rendering said motor active when the said rotatable means has completed its rotation in one direction under the influence of the said means whichis operatively connected therewith, and means m terposed between the said motor and the said rotatable means whereby operation of sa1d motor returns the said rotatable means to its initial position independently of said shaft. 7 17. Apparatus of the character described comprising a shaft, supporting and actuatingmeans for a plurality of lamps mounted upon said shaft, the said lamps including main lamps and a standby lamp, rotatable means mounted independently of said shaft, means operatively connected with the said between the said pivrotatable means for causing rotation thereof in one direction, said rotatable means and the said shaft whereby said rotation of said rotatable means causes rotation of the said shaft and lamp actuating means in one direction to move the said lamps respectively to a predetermined operative position, means for holding the said shaft against rotation while a lamp occupies sa1d predetermined position, a'

normally inactive electric motor, means'for means interposed between rendering said motor active when the said rotatable means has completed its rotation in one direction under the influence of the said means which is operatively connected therewith, means interposed between'the said motor and the said rotatable means whereby operation of said motor returns the said rotatable means to its initial position, the said means for rendering the motor active being actuated to render the said motor inactive upon the arrival of said rotatable means at V tate with the said shaft to place a lamp in a position, the said last named predetermined means including an arm rigidly mounted upon the said shaft and projecting radially therefrom, a crank shaft rotatably mounted in the outer end of said arm and carried by the said arm about the axis of the said'first named shaft, means for causing rotation of said crank shaft, an arm rigidly connected with the said lamp supporting means and projecting radially therefrom and having movable connection with the crank armof said crank shaft, a stop for interrupting the rotation of the said first named shaft to position a lamp in a predetermined location, means for causing bodily movement of said stop, and means for causing pivotal movement thereof to render the same effective.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto signed my name this 3rd day of September A; D., 1928.

GEORGE GOODWIN. 

